Word Origin & History

1610s, from Late Latin patronymicum, from neuter of patronymicus "derived from a father's name," from patronymos "named from the father," from pater (genitive patros) "father" (see father (n.)) + onyma "name," Aeolic dialectal variant of onoma "name" (see name (n.)). As an adjective from 1660s.

Example Sentences for patronymic

We have the diminutive in Mappin and the patronymic in Mapleson.

Or were these separate creations of the patronymic, some English, some Gaelic?

Nevil, you are a preux of the times of my brother's patronymic.

Serfs were not addressed with their patronymic by their superiors.

The women do get so savage when you leave a fellow's patronymic vague.

According to the Homeric force of the patronymic, he may be either.

But these names in ing and ingen, and Latin iaci, do not seem to be patronymic.

It is to be remembered that as a patronymic Τελαμώνιος is an Aeolic formation.

Indeed the patronymic is nearly always derived from the name of the father.

Does it matter that we know not the patronymic of an earth-released master?